Guide cutter and stub holder



Jan. 18, 1949. w. P. HODGES 2,459,646

' GUIDE CUTTER AND STUB HOLDER Filed July 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

[Halter P. I'lgfi es ATTCI RN EYS Jan. 18, 1949.

W. P. HODGES GUIDE CUTTER AND STUB HOLDER Filed July 21, 1947 3' Sheets-Sheet 2' INVENTOR. [Halter P. Had ES 4% A'ITD RN EYS Jan. 18, 1949. w. P. HODGES 2,459,646

GUIDE CUTTER AND STUB HOLDER Filed July 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENT OR.

[Halter P. @525 ATTCI RN EYE Patented Jan. 18, 1949 "UNITED ear-emf o ics 2.459.646 Gmnn'cUr'rEn AND, STUHHOLDER Walter P. Hodges; KnoxvilleyTenni- Xpplication July 21, 1947; Serial no; 762.4437

' M-ypresent inventionrelatesto the general cl'ass of geometrical instruments or implements of-th'e straight edge type and-utilized as a gage in connection with the tearing'oi paper'she'ets; and more specifically'to an improved Guidecutterand stu'b" holder which while adapted for various purposes and'uses, is especially designed for use" bypostalemployees and-others in the preparation'of money orders that are to be cut off or torn off t'ddndic'ate" different money values. The primary object of the inventionisthe provision-of a portableiniple ment or instrument of this character that is simple in construction and operation; ccmposedof a' minimum number of parts that may with facility be manufactured at low cost of production and assembled with" convenience'to insure a re"- liable, accurate, and durableimplement that may be skillfullyoperated without difiiculty, andwhi'cb'." is efficient and proficient in the" performance of it's required functions. I

Theinvention consists in certain novel? features of construction and combinations and" arrange ments of manually operated parts including a. work holder and the paper-tearing gage" and mechanism as will hereinafter be describ'ediini detail, and more particularly'set' forth intheap: pended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated' a complete disclosure of the invention in which the parts are combined and'arranged"in'accord with'one model have devised forthe'practical application of the principleso'f my inven-' tion. It will, however be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, within the scope of my claims. without departing from the principles of the invention.

' mounted, and the book Figure 1 is a plan view of an appliance in which I Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the parts in Fig. 5.

In carrying out my invention I utilize a flat base board or plate I of convenient size and shape. along one edge of which the book plate 2 is rigidly k or pad of sheets 3, 'as-a be'ok'of blank money orders; is d'etachably' mounted; and adapted for readyremoval when the sheetsare exhausted-Z The book is mounted ina' somewhat U-shapedor rectangular open-end holder 4 mountedon'the'book plate, and theh'older is-provided with a number of retaining pins 5; for engaging the book as'it is pressed intoposi' tiOfldfi-Wh holder.

A clamp device 6 for the-"stub'encl ofthebookitprov'idedwitharetaining hookeclend 'i' that engagesthe" book and projects through slot 'of' the" holderfor this purpose, and this clamp device is actuated'by'an angular l'iandlever or bell crank lever 8pivoted on the holder at 9. and'pivotallyf frameis' anchored at'on'e" end" to the frame, and

its other end'is'anchor'edto a bracket l 5'of the; pin or finger l i, above the pivot i2. As indicated" i i-Fig; 3 by dotted lines,,the stubs maybe turned or curledupwardly behihdme' resilient hold'ei pin orfinger 'andithe'springholds the finger in upright position against a stop 'piiii 6 of the slotted frame. B'y pressure of the, thumb or finger against. the

spring-held dete'ht" or anger n the detent may" be moved or swung to the left in Fig. 3 to release these stub sheets.

The tearing gage or cutter for the sheets is disposed at right angles to the long axis of the book plate 2 and the book 3, and this mechanism is reciprocable and hand-operated to and from position over the, book, with automatic or spring actuated retracting means, and with automatic or spring actuated vertically adjusting means that adapt, the cutter to varying thicknesses of the book.

The tearing unit is mounted in a housing ll of rectangular shape, and provided with a top plate l8 that is longitudinally slotted at iii to guide and retain the resiliently mounted cutter which is of inverted T-shape in cross section, and includes an upright flange 20 having spaced upper edge notches 2| and 22 or seatsfor two fingers employed in adjusting and retaining the unit in proper position.

The flange 20 is fashioned with a horizontally disposed presser plate 23 having right angle edges equipped with bevels or tearing edges 24 for alinement with the blocks of the book, and by means of which the sheets are manipulated and torn off at the proper designations.

The cutter unit is slid to adjusted position over the book against the tension of a rotary spring 25 mounted on a rotary pin 26 in the spring housing 21 located at one end of the housing for the reciprocating cutter, and a chain or cord 28 connects the cutter with this automatic and spring actuated retracting device. By placing two fingers or a finger and a thumb in the notches 22 the cutting unit may be drawn over into posi- 4 support in the housing for the unit, and a. horizontally disposed presser plate rigid with the hand-piece.

2. In a manually operated paper tearing appliance, the combination with a base and a bookholder, of a guide-housing mounted laterally of the holder, a spring-retracted presser unit reciprocable in the housing, a bowed leaf-spring mounted within the housing for supporting the unitgsai'd imit""including a notche'd hand-piece pro'jecti'ngthrbugh thehousing, and a h'orizontally disposed presser plate rigid with the hand piece and forming a tearing gage.

3. In amanually operated appliance, the combination with a base and a slotted guide housing, and a presser unit reciprocable in the housing, of

a .rotary retracting spring mounted on the base pressure is released, the cutter is automatically lifted from the book and also automaticallywitb a and with accuracy without necessity for expert labor, but with rapidity and efficiency in the performance of its functions.

From this description taken in connection with my drawings it will be apparent that the manually operated paper tearing unit withits automatically operating retracting spring, together with the bowed spring as a resilient support for the depressible presser plate and tearing gage, provides a device of simple construction that may be utilized in the performance of its functions for quickly gaging and tearing off a money order or sheet from the book. The spring detent for retaining the book stubs may be manipulated with facility in holding the stubs out of the way for freedom in holding and tearing a money order or sheet from the book or pad, and the efliciency and proficiency of the operator is enhanced together with a saving in time and labor. v

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: j

1. In a manually operatedpaper-tearing appliance, the combination witha base anda bookholder, of a slotted housing mounted laterally of the holder, a spring-retracted presser unit recip rocable in the housing including an upright handpiece projecting through the housing, a resilient and attached to said unit, resilient means mounted in thechousing for supporting the unit, and

said unit including a hand piece and a. rigid horizontally disposed presser plate forming a tearing guide.

4. In a manually operated paper tearing ape pliance, the combination with abase and a workholder, and a slotted housing, of an inverted T-shaped presser unit reciprocable in the housing, said unit including an upright blade having spaced finger notches and projecting through the slotted housing and a horizontally disposed presser plate rigid with-the blade and forming a tearing gage, a retracting spring connected to the unit, and a bowed leaf spring mounted within the housing for supporting the unit.

5. In a manually operated paper tearing appliance, the combination with a book-holder, a stub-retainer frame mounted over the bookholder, and a spring actuated retaining detent mounted over the book-holder, of a guide-housing, a presser unit reciprocable in the housing, a retracting spring connected to the unit, and resilient means mounted in the housing for supporting the unit.

6. In a manually operated tearing instrument, the combination with a book-holder having end and side walls, retaining, pins mounted'in said Walls, a pivoted clamp mounted in the holder for abook, and a spring detent mounted over the holder for retaining stubs, of a guide housing and a reciprocable presser unit mounted therein, a retracting spring connected to the unit, and resilient means mounted in the housing for supporting the unit.

WALTER P. HODGES;

No references cited. 

